Although there is an inherent tendency to support the concept that bigger is better for any part of the house, the new trend is leaning toward a more design-forward interior. The emphasis is on creating an efficient space more than anything else. And it doesn’t have to lack style for want of spaciousness, which is another excellent sign of flourishing urban tastes. You can think of small kitchens in this context. Also known as kitchenettes, these can be an ideal setup for bachelors, small families, and someone who rarely cooks at home. However, considering the candidates, you can question whether there is a need to work on its capabilities.
Single people and those who survive on outside food mostly may not get into minor details. However, small families can still be careful with what they choose. Nevertheless, who doesn’t like a better-equipped place no matter its size? So, here are some popular kitchen design ideas for tiny kitchens to make them more comfortable and functional for you without ruining their fundamentals.
Let go of a few things
Of course, the first thing you can think of is the pantry. It can be more helpful if you live in a big house with a large family. But when you are alone or at best with another person, you don’t have to stock up on dry foods so massively. Hence, it can be a waste to dedicate an entire space to this. Instead, you can add two or three shelves in your kitchen to accommodate a few items. It can be accessible and wouldn’t cause cluttering too.
Another feature that can be irrelevant in this area is an island. You can feel tempted to include one for the sake of greater functionality and ease of movement. However, if you think logically, you will realize it can again mean wastage of space. So, ditch it. Instead, you can get creative with your choices. For example, buy a bar trolley or slim console table that doesn’t need much room to settle down but performs well as an extension to the worktop.
Rethink some choices
Nobody wants to hand wash their dishes for obvious reasons. Still, does it justify going for a dishwasher in tiny kitchen space? Whether you hate it or have no time to spend your energy on this, the thing is, having a dishwasher doesn’t solve your concern. It can consume your money and precious free space too. Besides, you may hardly find yourself using it because of your limited requirements. Hence, you can consider renovating a kitchenette by installing a modern ADA kitchen sink. Washbasins form an integral part of any kitchen, regardless of the workload. So, you can depend on them not only for this task but other things also.
Opt for compact items
Even a small kitchen will consist of many appliances, such as a refrigerator, stove, etc. Let’s pick the fridge first. Usually, these can be anywhere of the size of a small car. But these can be too huge for a small kitchen space. Therefore, choose an under-counter fridge to benefit more. First, you will not be able to pile up perishable items beyond a limit. As a consequence, your food wastage will drastically reduce. Then, it will go under your counter, leaving enough space around the floor for other uses.
Similarly, another consideration can be the cooktop. Do you need a four-burner system? Well, if you critically examine your choice, you will realize that even a two-burner stove with a microwave can be more than sufficient to whip up a decent and delectable dinner menu.
Eliminate one-use cooking appliances
You can have so many items that you rarely use in your kitchen, such as a waffle iron, Panini maker, electric kettle, etc. Why would you need an electric kettle when you can fulfill your need with just a teapot or jug? It can be intelligent to put such things away or donate them to a charity to avoid the risk of cluttering at home.
Furthermore, you can take a similar approach with the choice of dishware. In a small room, you will not have generous storage systems. So, choose bowls that can work just as fine as a dining plate, a cereal bowl, a soup plate, etc. Of course, you may wonder about a situation when a few guests drop by your home. Well, it still doesn’t mean you need to overbuy. You can keep six bowls and stackable drinking glasses for them. These will also be easy to manage and handle.
Adopt smarter hacks
It is vital to recognize that the functionality of any space depends on its optimization more than the size. For example, a small kitchen can help you store things well if you learn to utilize every nook and corner. More precisely, look at the empty walls. These can be the ultimate spots to put a few things within quick reach in an exciting manner. Or, you can invest in items that are multi-tasking, like an oven or microwave.
Things to remember
When you remodel your kitchenette, make sure you don’t end up crowding it in the name of optimization. Resist the temptation of going beyond necessary things. If you get too many things, you can struggle to accommodate them and feel miserable too.
Every renovation project throws up a unique challenge for you based on your expectations. However, you don’t have to succumb to them. Nowadays, there are plenty of amenities and advanced stuff. You can use them to speed up your cooking work. At the same time, you don’t have to buy different appliances for different preparations. Some devices can perform multiple roles. Hence, you have to dig them out and install them in your kitchen to enjoy your experience even within a limited area.
Although it takes a habit to adjust to these changes, you can have a great time once you gain comfort with such setups. After all, they free you from the responsibility of dealing with too many things every day. Besides, you don’t have to involve yourself in hour-long cleaning tasks too.
